Previous Post --------------- It’s the middle of the Earth month know as December. Up on that planet’s lone satellite known to the inhabitants as the Moon, up on the dark side in the northern hemisphere nestled among the cratered surface is the much in legal dispute of a building known as the Moon Public Library. in the center on the main floor of the building is the circular reference desk which is overseen by a number of automatons which each have a portion of the the MPL’s A.I. D.D residing in them. Near the back, by one of the trolly carts of books to be reselved, the other non D.D. automaton/Major Domo of the Library was having a chat with D.D. “Still can’t get word from anyone planet side?” A.L.F.RED asked. “Nope. We’ve tried ever method we have: The Internet, The Dark Internet, Subnet, SubSubnet, Overnet, OverUndernet, Social Media, personal e-mail, not so personal e-mail. You get the message.” “yeah. I do but they aren’t & that’s the problem.” The automaton nodded back at A.L.F.RED. Then something they had not been heard in some time started to chime. It’s a chime they hadn’t expected to here ever again. The droid went limp as D.D. reappeared in her more common holographic appearance. Some of the library’s patrons started to look around as they wondered what they sound was. “It’s nothing. Go about your business.” A.L.F.RED said trying to reassure them. Another person came up behind them “What’s that noise?” “oh… David!” D.D. said somewhat shocked to see him there. David Bookman, the in name only current Head Librarian of the Moon Public Library. David was brought out of hidden when the last Head Librarian took a “leave of absence”. Since then D.D. & A.L.F.RED have been running the library on their own. David has mainly just been hanging out & doing not much of anything. Most of what the job of being a Librarian is to be doing David has not been doing. Not that he doesn’t want to do that stuff, it’s just that he’s been told to not do it. David is an important place holder, one to important to loose. He dies & they are royal screwed. “That sound is one we don’t normally have hooked up to the general sound system. So… how it got hooked up that way we don’t know BUT that noise is from our monitoring system. It’s a distress beacon noise.” A.L.F.RED said. “Who is in distress?” “Each people logged into the system has a different set of sounds associated to them. I have a set, D.D. has a set. You even have a set.” “ok. Whose distress beacon is going off?” “well….” “uh…” D.D. started to say. “Whose beacon is going off? If they are logged into our system they must be pretty important & if they are are in trouble we need to go help them.” “you see… that chime belonged to your Father.” A.L.F.RED said sadly. “oh…” There were a few awkward moment of silence between them. “Where is coming from?” David asked “what?” “The beacon. Where is it coming from?” “According to the monitor, it’s broadcasting from Earth. In fact it’s the only such broadcast we are getting from Earth at the moment.” D.D. said. “Anything more specific then just Earth. That’s a pretty big place.” “Yes. Earth, North America, Parrodipolis, Parody Island, The Lair Mansion, Basement, File Room.” “Anything else?” “Not really. Nothing that I can tell you right at the this moment.” “ok.” David said, nodding. “When are we going?” “Where?” A.L.F.RED asked somewhat puzzled. “Earth, North America, Parrodipolis, Parody Island, The Lair Mansion, Basement, File Room.” “We can’t do that.” “Why not?” Neither D.D. or A.L.F.RED had an answer for him. “We need to stay here & keep on guard for the IOL.” A.L.F.RED said. “and we have our patrons to think about!” D.D. interjected. “Screw that!” David leaned over the Reference Desk & picked up a microphone. “Attention Library Patrons! I'm sorry but we will be closing a little bit early today. Please make your way to any of our check out counters that are scattered about if you have any materials you would like to check out. Then please proceed to your vehicles, The Library will be entering a full lock down in 20 Earth minutes. If you get locked in the building, we will have no way of rescuing you until the lock down is off & I’m not sure when that’ll be. Thank you for choosing the Moon Public Library for your knowledge needs today. We know that you all have a number of methods of gaining your knowledge & it’s warms our hearts… uh… those of us who have hearts to know that you choose our humble library. Thank you & have a pleasant day!” David put down the microphone & looked back at A.L.F.RED & D.D. “So… I ask again: when are we going?” “We can’t!” D.D. said. “We’ve been cut off from Earth. Our transporters aren’t allowing contact with the planet’s surface.” “hmmm…” David thought for a moment. “Is the entire planet planet cut off for the rest of the Universe?” “like how?” D.D. asked. “Could a shuttle leave the planet?” “As far as we can tell: yes.” “Cool. So when are we leaving?” “what?” D.D. was confused. “We have the Galactibus. It’s been gassed up & ready for use for awhile. It’s imperative that as the crew of the Moon Public Library find out why my departed Father’s distress beacon is going off. Plus, I’ve always wanted to visit Earth. Seems like a fun place.” Just then flying out from an alcove came a small football sized metallic craft. It’s central screen was all lit up. “Excuse me?” It said as it got close. “yeah… Shawn?” “I’m not sure what it is with you & your Father but the designation is XJ-8, not Shawn. You get D.D. & A.L.F.RED’s designations correct, why not mine?” David shrugged. “What’s up?” “For one the destress beacon for Lee Bookman has been going off.” “yeah… we know that.” “Sorry. It’s taken me sometime to fly here. I was packed away in a box.” “Yeah....” A.L.F.RED said. “you were among the belongings I brought back with me the last time I was planet side. I didn’t see any use in turning you back on since your only really used away from the Library. Also, how are you on?” “I was turned on.” “By who?” David asked. He knew where that box was stored & the only ones who’d have access to it were him, D.D. & A.L.F.RED. “The distress beacon turned me on.” “How?” David said puzzled. “That’s it!” D.D. said excitedly. “The Beacon’s chime sounded off. It was broadcasting out the activating code for XJ-8.” “Yes.” XJ-8 said as it nodded slightly in D.D.’s direction. “Not only that there is a secondary message coded into it.” “which is?” David asked. “We have to answer the call. You, Me, D.D. & A.L.F.RED. All of us. The message was very specific that we are all to answer it.” “So…” David said as he turned towards D.D. & A.L.F.RED “When are we leaving?” --------------- TO BE CONTINUED…..

We shall see how this all unfolds...